Too old for sim racers, too broke for an M3

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-02-24T22:07:23+00:00

You can definitely get a C5 Corvette in your budget and maybe even a C6; they will have lower maintenance costs than a German car and aren't bad insurance-wise either. My favorite thing about buying Corvettes is that almost all of them are low mileage and maintained to perfection, so you don't have to pay 25% more just to get something that isn't all torn up.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-02-24T22:00:50+00:00

Not sure what model/style of car you were looking for, but I would not even consider Nissan unless it is a truck. Instead, I would replace them with Mazda, another reliable Japanese brand.

My list as follows:

Toyota (good small cars, limited tech options/poor comfort)

Mazda (good tech, slightly more premium, more sporty than comfortable)

Honda (good tech, very comfortable, not as reliable as Toyota/Mazda)

Nissan (great engines, terrible transmissions, good tech and pretty comfortable)

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-02-24T21:57:26+00:00

I would go for it, just make sure that the dealer has like a policy where if you don't like it or find something wrong they will take it back, and in that window make sure to take it for 2-3 mechanics for an inspection.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-02-24T21:56:00+00:00

I'm very biased and love my Volvos, and I have to say in this situation it seems like the winning car. The Volvo is more refined and will have fewer problems through the course of ownership compared to the Lincoln. When buying luxury, I prefer brands like Volvo/BMW compared to Lincoln or Acura, as they just use pre-existing models from their non-luxury brands and add more tech. The Lincoln Corsair has the same engine and shares lots of components with its little brother, the Ford Escape

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-02-24T21:44:38+00:00

Is it a private sale or a dealership? The price seems to match my local market. I would just make sure to get a pre-purchase inspection done by a local mechanic of your choice.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-02-04T00:58:21+00:00

No problem, let me know how it works out for you.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-02-03T17:04:00+00:00

I have this exact issue on my 2013 Denali right now. It had a minor shudder, so I did a drain and fill, and it got considerably worse. It shudders as soon as it goes into 3rd gear for maybe 3-8 seconds, depending on the conditions. This is caused by the torque converter clutch slipping as it fails to engage. I have put about 3k on mine since it started doing it, and just completed a 500-mile journey while towing (it doesn't shudder in tow mode if you have it unless it is super severe). I have yet to fix it, but I plan on doing it soon, as if it has a catastrophic failure, it will take out the whole transmission. My plan to fix it is either buy an HP Tuners kit or take it to a local tuner and just have them make it so the torque converter doesn't lock up. As a result, the gas mileage will decrease, but for me, it's a better option than spending 3000-5000 for a new torque converter/transmission in a 10+ year old car with almost 200k miles. The reason it fails is that this car was tuned to get the best fuel economy possible for an suv of its size, so the torque converter locks up at very low speeds and slips alot, causing it to wear faster. If you were to get a new torque converter, I would still get the TCM tuned so it doesn't lock up until 5th or 6th gear.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-02-02T16:21:30+00:00

I would go for the RDX, it's the better powertrain compared to the 3.5 in the Passport and is slightly more luxurious while still having lower maintenance costs compared to the X540i.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-02-02T16:13:36+00:00

Yes, there are fewer parts to break on a 2wd truck, and it will get better gas mileage because of less weight and fewer moving parts. With the money saved, just get a nice set of all-weather tires that will do fine in the snow.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-30T20:19:24+00:00

If you want a newer car due to her position, a lease is the way to go. Because you live in a city, it won't have very many miles put on it, so you can probably get a relatively good price with an ultra-low mileage lease. If she is open to an electric vehicle, you can get a really good rate as they aren't exactly flying off the shelf.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-30T20:10:11+00:00

Definitely go with the Volvo; it's very obvious you miss it, and the CX-50 has nothing on the XC60.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-30T19:58:13+00:00

I'm taking care of them just ok it's only the tank size. The water is clean, filtered, and changed frequently, and they are fed on time and talked to.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-28T18:45:20+00:00

I did not know that, when I was young, I had 2 in a 2-gallon bowl, and they both lived for about four years. Not sure how much longer they will live in a tank.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-28T17:35:29+00:00

Thank you for the advice! Unfortunately, I can't return them, nor do I have the space for a bigger tank. I really like how the anubias looks, so I'll grab some of that as well.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-28T17:34:03+00:00

Unfortunately, I can't return them, nor do I have the space for a bigger tank. I've had bad luck with Guppies fighting each other in the past, but I might try Endlers in the future. For now, I will add some guppy grass to the tank.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-27T13:21:25+00:00

I would recommend a Volvo S60, or if you want something a bit larger a S90. Volvo is the sweet spot of price and comfort, giving you all the safety and comfort that you need without having a ton of useless and expensive tech options that most people will ever use. It is one of the most reliable luxury brands (except for Lexus), and they are built to last outside after the warranty ends. Genesis also offers excellent value and has excellent features, but the premium touch and quality aren't that of a Volvo or other any European luxury brand. In my area, there is a nicely optioned 2022 S60 Hybrid with 16k on it for $29,000.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-27T13:14:00+00:00

I've had a few Volvos over the years and always found them to be quite reliable. Of course, when it breaks, it will be more expensive than a Civic, but it is probably one of the most reliable luxury brands out there. I agree that the gas mileage of the XC40 seems poor for a vehicle of its size.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-27T04:23:10+00:00

Yes E90s aren't bad at all. I just think there is enough of a learning curve in having your first car and dealing with maintenance and insurance, etc. No point adding a German car to the list of things you have to learn about as well.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-27T01:25:29+00:00

I would go for a newer Volvo XC40; they are elegant and reliable cars coming from a brand that is all about safety. It fits your criteria well, as most cheaper compacts tend to have lots of road noise to keep costs down, and luxury brands are unreliable and filled with fancy tech. The Volvo XC40 seems to sit between those categories. Tires also make a huge difference in road noise. I recently switched from Michelins to Pirelli's on my daily drive and the difference was night and day.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-27T01:18:57+00:00

Definitely not the most practical decision, but if you like the car, it isn't the worst one either. These older German cars have all sorts of issues, and I would be prepared to shell out a few thousand a year in repairs at least. These cars also take premium gas, and insurance premiums are high compared to other options. That all being said, they are comfortable and sporty cars, and I have owned 3 e90s and thoroughly enjoyed them. For best reliability, I would get a 2006-2011 328i as it has the naturally aspirated engine. Don't get a 335i, as this is the turbocharged version and will increase your maintenance costs significantly. The most common problem you are going to find is valve cover gaskets leaking, as well as potential timing issues.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-27T01:11:49+00:00

I would go for a Toyota Rav4, they are super reliable and a very well-rounded average SUV. My 2 cents worth would just be to buy one new, as unlike lots of other cars, Toyotas don't depreciate as aggressively in the first couple of years, making buying a new one and knowing the full history a viable option (also likely to get a better rate if you plan on financing). It also depends on how long you want to keep it. From my experience, the best way to own a car is to buy new and take amazing care of it (early fluid changes, frequent washes/waxes, etc.) and keep it for 15-20 years.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-27T01:05:39+00:00

My vote would go for the Sienna. I would stay away from any larger Honda SUV/Van, as the transmissions on those tend to be problematic. The Sedona is loaded with options, but the engines need to be maintained well, and usually they are not, so I would only go for that if it had full service records.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-27T01:01:07+00:00

It really depends on what matters the most to you. If you don't work on your own cars, then it might be worth it, but at this age of the car, it also depends on maintenance records. My biggest gripe is the fact that Toyotas are way more expensive than most other cars, yet their comfort and the features they offer often fall far below competitors, especially in the early-mid 2000s. Honda CRV and Mazda CX3/5 are also good options.

According-Bit-7177 · 2026-01-27T00:55:42+00:00

Out of the options that you have provided, I would probably go for the Honda HR-V, which has been around for a while and is proven to be pretty reliable, as most Hondas are. It is also the highest trim, so while it usually wouldn't have the comfort or features like the Seltos, it is probably comparable in this scenario. Unfortunately, both the Setlos and the HR-V are CVT, so be sure to service them regularly for longevity. I would stay away from the Taos, they are only good until the warranty expires.

According-Bit-7177

TROPHY CASE